New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-28

TIE CRUSADE 1G1INSI HDt LfEhh Iio-'.
A convention will meet in Washington IN
January which will illustrate the growing de-
mands made upon the National Government by
problems unknown to our earlier civilization
If will he called the National Pure Food Con
vcntion. and Is to meet for the purpose Of
urging upon Congress law making the pre-
ycntion and punishment of authorizations in
foods and medicines part OF the work oil the
foods and medicines a part Of the work
of the National Government, 80 Tar
rs il has jurisdiction similar convention
was held last January. in which various mcr-
camille and health organizations were repre-
scented. and where a considerable number Of
dealers i'm various trades wholesale and retail.
notably groccrs, were present. permanent
organization was formed and bill approved
which. it was stated, was prepared under dircc-
ton Of the National Board Of Trade by n
committee composed of physician. chemist
and experienced health officer, lawyer to con-
slider questions Of constitutional law. and we'll
known business men to advise concerning the
practical bearings Of such 4 law. This bill
has once failed in Congress. but II Is To- be
urged upon the new Congress with all tho
Influence the Pure Food Convention can com
mand
1t provides for the establishment Of Bureau
II Adultcrltion 10 Dc connected with such a
Department as Congress may designate. The
officers If this Bureau shall watch over foreign
and interstate commerce. and prevent the inn
poriation into the country or transportation
from one State To- another Of adultcrltcd articles
Of food and medicine, or their sale in any terri
Il OF. arc
made misdcmcanorS. punishable the first time
" ith fine Of not more than 500 ana Tor tlch
repetition ~ not more than 500. or impriSon-
mcnt not exceeding one year. or both. AduI-
tcrations. both IN food and medicine are de-
fined and provision made for inspections and
analyses by the Bureau, upon which the law
officers shall be asked To act. 1t il evident that
delicate questions " jurisdiction aS between the
National Bureau on Adntcritun and Local.
boards II health might easily arise, but 1t Is
claimed that the bill has been carefully drawn
To- avoid cncroaching upon state rights. and that
II is an adaptation OF the laws 81 England
France and Germany 10 or pccul ar political
and social conditions.
This plan raises many questions that are not
to he lightly decided 1t il clear however,
crusade against impure food and drugs. The
agitation has already produced good results. In
Massachusetts, and in this state Laws have been
passed under which the Board, Of Health in
boston. Ncw-Yorl1 and brooklyn have been able
20 do much But al the best this Is Ike picking
M pebbles on the shores Of the ocean. The
work must be pushed much further. Every
person who buys an article Of food which is not
all it purports To- be is cheated. Every one
who buys an article Of food containing clements
detrimental to health is injured. and any per
son who buys a medicine the virtue Of which
is impaired or destroyed by adultcratiOn. may
lose his life No doubt very many deaths
annually are due to murdcrous tralllc in impure
medicines. This has reached large proportions
! Sometimes the newspapers tcli uS Of the failure
Of an attempt at suicide, because the drug WAS
! ldultcratcd but We never know how many
attempts to save life fail because the medicine
has not It's proper strength. Authorizations in
| food involve money fraud and sometimes injury
! 10 health II is evident that We must have
better methods Of prevention. In thus respect,
as in many others, We can learn much Of the
older countries. where administration has been
made a study. The buyer Of coffee in Paris
knows whether he is getting that or chicory. or
how much Of either. If he goes to "A jewellers
shop in the Palais Royal he knows the dealers
dare not sell imitation wares for genuine fOr
| fear Of the law There should be at least equal
pr lection here against the sale Of impure foods
and drugs.